Boot tree



Aug. 26, 1941; L, B. PLOTKIN I 2,253725 v BOOT TREE Filed May 16, 1940 l VENTO l eelgfi on Plozkin ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 26, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Boozr TREE Leighton B. Plotkin, Bridgeport, Conn; Application May 16, 1940, Serial No. 335,471

14 Claims. (01. 12-4293) This invention relates to a device for sup-porting the upper portion of a boot or the like when not in use in order to hold them in proper shape, and, more particularly, to .a device for supporting the upper portion of a boot by means of the straps therein.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to provide a tree with hooks for engaging the loops or straps within a boot to apply a suitable pressure thereto to restore the shape to the upper portion thereof.

7 Difficulty was encountered, however, in providing these devices inasmuch as the loops formed in the boots were not of uniform length or were not accurately positioned within the boot, with the resultthat the tops of the loops would not be in the same plane and one or the other of the straps would carry all of the pressure.

In order to overcome this, the prior art made one or both of the hooks individually adjustable in their supporting means so that they could be adjusted for such variations. This, however, was unsatisfactory inasmuch as if the tree was used in the other boot it would not be properly adjusted for the straps therein. 1

These difliculties have been overcome by the present invention by means of a rigid unit, having strap-engaging hooks extending therefrom, which is pivotally mounted to a member or crosshead movable on the staff of the boot tree.

The rigid unit is so arranged that it moves about an axis passing through the center of the staff and crosshead, and, as the unit is moved in the direction to apply the pressure to the upper portion of the boot, it will first assume a position in which it engages both of the straps and will then transmit the pressure equally to said straps.

The pressure, according to the present inven-' tion, can be produced by means of a threaded stafi cooperating with means on the crosshead for moving the same upon rotation of the shaft or by a spring or other yieldable means reacting with the crosshead to urge it in the direction to apply pressure to the loops.

The spring, if desired, can'be adjustably positioned along the staff so as to locate the crosshead and hooks in position to engage the loops in the boot.

When it was desired to support English boots, difficulty was encountered since these boots are made to closely fit the calf so that the upper part of the boot, in effect, slopes slightly forward.

The present invention can readily be adapted type for use with boots of this typeinasmuch as the rigid unit can be mounted on the crosshead for universal movement thus enabling the hooks to readily engage the straps and apply the desired upward pressure thereto to hold the upper portion of the boot in position when not in use.

The universal connection can be made by pivoting concentric members disposed one within the other about axes intersecting at the center of the stall or by providingthe crosshead with a ball surface and the rigid member with a socket to cooperate therewith.

It may be desirable in some instances to provide the strap-engaging members with means which will interlock with the straps to prevent accidental lateral movement between the strap and hook to cause the two to become disengaged.

In one form of the present invention, the hooks may be provided with a depression to receive the straps or with upstanding shoulders at the ends to form a means for engaging the sides of the strap to hold the same against lateral movement. Then, also,the loop-engaging means may comprise a pair of pivotally mounted elements having free ends abutting to form a loop-supporting surface and separable to permit the free end portions to be inserted and become interlocked with the loop. 1

In the preferred form of the invention, the hooks open in opposite directions so that rotation of the rigid unit carrying the hooks in one direction will cause the hooks to become engaged with the opposed straps while rotation in the other direction will cause it to become disengaged. In the broader aspects of the invention, however, the loops need not be so positioned; as they can be provided with the interlocking means for preventing accidental disengagement of the hooks from the straps during use. e

Other features and advantages will be ap parent from the specification and claims when taken in connection with the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a boot, partially broken away, with one form of the boot tree disposed therein. 1 Fig. 2 shows .a sectional view of the tree, taken along line 22 of Figure 1.

Fig 3 shows another form of boot tree.

Fig. 4 shows a modified form of crosshead and rigid unit.

Fig. 5 shows another modification of the crosshead and rigid unit,

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of staff mounting means.

Fig. 7 shows a modified form of bootstrapengaging hook.

' straps of different heights in the boot.-

tinued movement of the crosshead will cause the Figs. 8 and 9 show modified bootstrap-engaging members.

As shown in Figure l, the present invention comprises a boot tree 21] adapted to be positioned within a boot 2! to hold the upper portion of the boot in extended condition while the boot is not in use.

The tree, according to the present invention, comprises a staff 22 having a handle 23 at one end and a base 26 at the other end in which the stair is rotatably mounted. The base 24 is adapted to cooperate with the usual shoe tree 25 positioned in the boot, as by having grooves 26 cut therein. The staff is retained in the base by means or" a pin 2? or other suitable means.

If desired, the base 24 can be eliminated and the staff 22 can be provided with a rounded or pointed portion 26a, as shown in Fig. 6, to cooperate with an aperture formed in the upper surface of the shoe tree or other support 25a.

In one form of the invention, a crosshead 28 is mounted on the staff and is moved therealong by means of threads 29 formed on the staff and cooperating with means on the crosshead whereby rotation of the staff in one direction causes the crosshead to be moved upwardly of the boot to app-1y pressure to extend the boot, as will be explained, and rotation of the shaft in the other direction will cause the crosshead to move downwardly and release the pressure on the boot.

The crosshead is provided with a rigid unit consisting of a strip of material which may be of any desired shape and having bootstrap-engaging hooks carried thereby. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the rigid unit comprises an annular member 30 surrounding the crosshead and having diametrically opposed and outwardly extending bootstrap or loop-engaging hooks 3i and 32, which, as shown in Fig. 2, open in opposite directions and engage the bootstrap loops 33 and 3:3, as shown in Figure 1.

The rigid unit is mounted on the crosshead for pivotal movement by means of a pair of pivots 35 and 36 which form a pivotal axis for the unit passing through the center of the crosshead and the staff 22 and perpendicular to the line joining the hooks 3!, 32, whereby the hooks will move about the axis to adjust their position, as will be explained.

In the construction of boots, the boot straps 33' and a l are quite frequently of unequal length, or are attached to the boot in such a manner that they extend unequal distances into the boot. In order to apply pressure equally to these straps,

it is necessary that the hooks engage the ends of both of the loops at the time pressure is applied. This is accomplished automatically by the device of the present invention incident to its use.

In use, the boot tree is inserted into the boot and the handle 23 rotated in the direction to cause the crosshead to be elevated. This will tend to rotate the crosshead in a clockwise direction and cause the open ends of the hooks 3| and 32 to be moved in a direction to cause the hooks to pass through and engage with the loops in the boot.

Initial movement of the crosshead upwardly will cause the rigid unit to pivot about its axis, which is perpendicular to a line joining the bootstrap hooks, and the bootstrap hooks will automatically adjust their position with respect to the loops to properly engage the ends of the boot- Conrigid unit to distribute the stretching force equally between the bootstraps and cause the upper portion of the boot to be held in proper stretched position when not in use.

When it is desired to remove the tree from the boot, the handle 23 is merely rotated in the direction to cause the crosshead to be lowered, and, when a sufficient pressure is relieved, will cause the crosshead to rotate in a direction which will move the hooks out of engagement with the loops.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3, a stall 22 is rigidly secured to a base 24. However, the base may be omitted and the supporting structure, of the type shown in Fig, 6, substituted therefor, as was explained in connection with the first form of the invention.

A crosshead 50 is slidably and rotatably mounted on the staff and is provided with a rigid unit, which comprises an annular member 30 pivotally mounted thereon, having boot-engaging hooks 3| and 32 similar to those described in connection with the first form of the invention. A handle 5! is slidably mounted on the rod and may be formed as a part of the crosshead or as a separate member connected thereto so as to form an operator therefor. Normally, the crosshead is urged outwardly along the staff in a direction to apply a pressure to the boot to restore the upper portion thereof to shape when not in use. In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, this is accomplished by means of a spring 52 surrounding the staiT and having one end acting against the crosshead and the other end engaging an abutment 53. The abutment can be located at various positions along the stafi to properly position the hooks with respect to the strap loops 33 "and 34. This may be achieved by means of a set screw, or, as in the illustrated form of the invention, by providing the staff 22' with a plurality of apertures 54 spaced therealong and providing a pin or similar element 55 passing through the collar and into one of the apertures. The end of the staff is provided with an abutment 56 to limit the movement of and retain the crosshead on the staff.

When it is desired to use the device comprising this form of the invention, the tree is inserted in the boot and the handle 5| grasped and the crosshead manually moved downwardly on the shaft to compress the spring and bring the hooks 3|, 32 in position to be engaged by the straps.

With the hooks in this position, the crosshead is rotated in a clockwise direction and the ends of the hooks are passed through the loops and are engaged therewith. Pressure is then released from the handle, and the spring 52 will urge the crosshead and the hooks carried thereby upwardly. The initial movement of the crosshead upwardly will cause the hooks 3| and 32 to automatically adjust themselves to the height of the bootstraps and continued pressure on the crosshead will then be distributed equally between the two straps to properly extend the boot.

The boot tree illustrated in this form of the invention can be quickly released from the boot by merely grasping the handle, compressing the spring and turning the crosshead in the reverse direction, which will automatically release both hooks from the straps, whereupon the tree is free to be removed from the boot.

In English type boots, which are made form fitting, the upper portion or calf extends slightly forward, as is well understood. While the constructions shown in Figs. 1 and 3 may well serve to support or extend the boot of this type, the

present invention provides means which will more readily adapt itself to this type of boat so as to provide the forcein a proper direction to maintain the boot in its desired shape when not in use. This is accomplished, according to the present invention, by utilizing the crossheads shown in Figs. 4 and 5 on which the hooks are mounted for universal movement so that the hooks will be positioned to apply a direct upward thrust to the bootstraps.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, a pair of concentric members 60 and BI are arranged, one within the other, and are pivotally connected together by means of pivots 62 and 63 for relative movement about an axis passing through the center thereof. I

The unit is pivotally mounted to the crosshead by means of a pair of pivots 64 and 65 for movement about an axis passing through the center of the crosshead and staff and perpendicular to the axis established by the pivots 62 and 63. In other words, the axis formed by the pivots 62 and 63 and that formed by the pivots 64 and 65 intersect'at the center of the shaft so that a pair of bootstrap-engaging hooks 66 and 61 are carried by the outer concentric member 60 and will be movable in two directions about the center of the shaft.

This crosshead can be used with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 or 3. When employed, for example, with an English type boot, it will first pivot about the pivots 64 and 6 5 to accommodate for the slant of the boot and will next pivot about pivots 52 and 63 to accommodate for difference in heights of the bootstraps. This will automatically properly locate the hooks with respect to the bootstraps and thereafter pressure applied to the crosshead to move it outwardly to extend the boot will be equally distributed between the bootstraps.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, a crosshead 10, which also may be used in either of the forms of-the invention shown in Figs. 1

or 3, has its upper surface formed as a portion of a sphere, as indicated at H.

The rigid member 12, in the form of a spherical socket shaped to cooperate with the spherical surface of the crosshead H, is positioned there- On and is provided with an aperture 13 such that the rigid unit can have substantial angular movement with respect to the crosshead.

The rigid element is provided with a pair of bootstrap-engaging hooks 14 and 15 for cooperating with the straps positioned within the boot. Means, herein illustrated as a plate It overlying the rigid unit, is secured to the crosshead to prevent separation of the rigid unit from the crosshead. This, however, may be omitted if desired.

It will be seen that when .the crosshead of this form of the invention is employed, initial movement will cause the hooks to engage the ends of the loops and properly position themselves with respect thereto for both position and height of the loops within the boot. In doing so, the

rigid unit will assume its desired angular position on the ball surface of the crosshead. Continued movement of the crosshead outwardly will then apply pressure equally to the bootstraps.

While the forms of the invention shown in Figs.

4 and 5 have been described in connection with English type boots, it is to be understood that their use is not to be solimited.

While the bootstrap-engaging hooks arranged as shown in Fig. 2 will normally maintain connection with the loops due to their opening in opposite directions, it may be desired to provide means on the hooks for interlocking with the bootstraps to prevent lateral relative movement between the two whereby they may become accidentally disengaged.

As is shown in Fig. 4, the hook can be provided with a depression for receiving the strap loop and interlocking therewith. This is accomplished by turning the free end of the hook 31 upwardly, as shown at '38, and by forming a reverse bend 39 therein to provide abutments at each end of the strip-engaging portion 40.

It will be seen, therefore, that the abutments are of suflicient height to engage the sides of the strap when the latter is engaged therewith and prevent accidental dislodgment of the strap from the hook during use. I

If it is desired to further and more securely interlock the loops with the bootstrap-engaging members, then the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9 may be employed, In Fig. 8 the rigid unit 11 is provided with a pair of angular members 18, 19 having their free ends 3%, 8| abutting to form a loop-engaging surface. The two members are pivoted intermediate their lengths about a pivot 82 and cross one another so that the projecting ends 18a, 19a form finger grips, which, when compressed together, will separate the free ends of the members to permit them to be interlocked with a bootstrap. The free ends of the members #8, H3 are normally urged together by means of a spring 83.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9,

a pair of members 88, 89 are mounted on a rigid unit 81 and have their free ends 96, 9| abutting to form astrap-engaging surface. The member 88 is pivoted to the unit at 92 and the member 39 is pivoted to the unit at 93 and the two mem- --free ends may be separated to permit interenagainst disengagement when it has been interlocked with the strap-engaging portion.

It is to be understood that the various features of the present invention may be combined with one another as desired, that is, the various crossheads may be used with either-the threaded shaft or the spring, and the various hooks or bootstrap-engaging members can be used with the various crossheads.

7 'Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others,

I claim:

1. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead carried by said staff and movable therealong; a pair of simultaneous movement as a unit about an axis .passing through the center of said crosshead; and means for urging the crosshead along the stafi to cause said hooks to apply a pressure to .the straps to extend the boot, said hooks being free at alltimes to move about said axis to automatically distribute the pressure equally between the boot-straps.

2. Ina boot tree, a staff ,a crosshead carried by said staff and movable therealong; a rigid unit comprising a pair of oppositely extending bootstrap-engaging members mounted on the crosshead for movement about an axis extending transversely of said crosshead; and means for urging the crosshead along the staff to cause said members to apply a pressure to the straps to support the boot, said rigid unit moving about said axis to cause the members carried thereby to automatically distribute the pressure of the urging means equally between the bootstraps.

3. In a boot tree, a staff; a member slidable along said staff and having a rigid unit comprising a pair of oppositely extending bootstrapengaging members pivotally mounted on the member for free movement about an axis extending transversely of said member; means comprising a spring surrounding said staff and having one end acting upon the member for urging the member upwardly along the staff to cause said hooks to automatically apply substantially equal pressure to the straps to support the boot; an adjustable abutment carried by the staff engaging the other end of the spring to regulate the position of the spring on the staif; and means for limiting the upward movement of the crosshead.

4. In a boot tree, a staff; a member slidable along said staff and having a rigid unit comprising a plurality of oppositely extending bootstrap-engaging hooks freely pivotally mounted thereon for movement about an axis extending transversely of the member; means comprising a spring surrounding said staff and having one end acting upon the member for urging the member along the staff to cause said hooks to automatically apply substantially equal pressure to the straps to support the boot in extended posi tion; an adjustable abutment carried by the staff engaging the other end of the spring to vary the force applied by said hooks; and manual means for moving the member against the urge of the spring to move the hooks into engagement with the straps.

5. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead rotatably and slidably supported on said staff; bootstrapengaging means carried by the crosshead; yieldable means including a spring adjustably positioned on said staff to normally urge said crosshead and members carried thereby along said staff in the direction to apply a pressure to said bootstraps; and manually engageable means associated with said crosshead and extending upwardly therefrom whereby the crosshead and bootstrap-engagingmeans may be moved against the urging of the spring and for rotating the same to cause the bootstrap-engaging means to interlock with the straps.

6. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead rotatably and slidably supported on said stafi; a pair of diametrically disposed bootstrap-engaging hooks extending from the crosshead and opening in opposite directions, said hooks being secured toether and pivotally mounted for movement about an axis passing through the center of'said crosshead; spring means surrounding said staff and adjustably positioned thereon for urging the crosshead outwardly along the staff to apply a pressure to the bootstraps to extend the boot; and means for moving said crosshead against the action of said spring and rotating the same to cause said hooks to be engaged with the bootstraps, said hooks being movable about the center of the crosshead upon release of the last-named means to automatically distribute the pressure equally between the bootstraps as the crosshead is slid upwardly by the spring.

7. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead carried by said staff and movable therealong; a rigid unit having a pair of bootstrap-engaging members extending from opposite sides thereof, said unit being mounted on the crosshead for universal movement about the center of said crosshead; and means for urging the crosshead along the staff to cause said members to apply a pressure to the straps to extend the boot, said members moving about the center of the crosshead to automatically distribute the pressure equally between the bootstraps.

8. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead movable along said staff and having the upper surface in the form of a sphere; a rigid unit shaped as a socket to engage the upper surface of the crosshead for movement thereon to a plurality of angular positions; a pair of bootstrap-engaging hooks projecting from said rigid unit; and means for urging the crosshead and unit carried thereby along the staff to cause the hooks to apply a pressure to the straps to support the boot, said hooks moving about an axis intersecting the center of the staff toautomatically distribute the pressure equally between the bootstraps to so support the boot.

9. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead carried by said staff and movable therealong; a rigid unit comprising a pair of concentric members disposed one within the other and connected together for relative movement about an axis passing through the center thereof, said unit being pivotally mounted on the crosshead for movement about an axis passing through the center of the crosshead and perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the unit; a pair of bootstrap-engaging members mounted on the outer concentric member to project therefrom; and means for urging the crosshead along the staif to cause said member to apply a pressure to the straps to support the boot, said rigid unit moving about the center of the crosshead to cause the members carried thereby to automatically distribute the pressure of the urging means equally between the bootstraps.

10. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead movable along said staff and having a plurality of bootstrap-engaging members extending therefrom; and means for urging the crosshead along the staff to cause said members to apply pressure to the straps to extend the boot, said members having means thereon for interlocking with the loop of the strap to hold the strap against accidental disengagement.

11. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead movable along said staff and having a plurality of bootstrap-engaging hooks extending therefrom; and means for urging the crosshead along the staff to cause said hooks to apply pressure to the straps to extend the boot, said hooks having a depression in the strap-engaging surface to receive the strap and hold it against accidental lateral movement with respect thereto.

12. In a boot tree, a staff; a crosshead movable along said staff and having a plurality of bootstrap-engaging hooks extending therefrom; and means for urging the crosshead along the staff to cause said hooks to apply pressure to the straps to extend the boot, said hooks having a strap-engaging portion adapted to pass through the strap loop and having shoulders adjacent the ends thereof for engaging the sides of the strap to hold the strap against lateral movement with and means for urging the crosshead along the staff to cause said members to apply pressure to the straps to extend the boot, said members comprising a pair of pivotally mounted elements having free ends yieldingly urged into abutting relation to form a strap-engaging portion with the ends being separable so as to be inserted into the loop of the strap to interlock therewith.

14. In a device for extending a boot or the like, a staff; a crosshead movably mounted on said staff and having an elongate bearing surface engaging the staff; a rigid unit comprising a plurality of members extending from the crosshead to interlock with the upper of a boot or the like; and means for moving said crosshead along the staff to cause the members to apply an extending pressure to the upper of the boot or the like, the unit being mounted on the crosshead for free relative movement with respect thereto about an axis passing through the center of the crosshead and the members being equidistant from said axis whereby the pressure applied thereby will be automatically equally distributed to the upper of the boot or the like.

LEIGHTON B. PLOTKIN. 

